Passport privilege is a phrase Taylor used to describe passports of countries with less visa restrictions.

“Every time I travel to Europe, I have to prove I have money in my bank account, a job, a place to stay every night, international medical insurance, and a flight in and out, all because the country of my birth apparently implies I’m at risk of illegally immigrating,” she added in the thread.

Taylor explained that she made this post because she was frustrated with the requirements in applying for a visa to Germany.

Many seemed to share her sentiments on this travel hindrance.

@kamilah This is sooooo me.
I couldn’t go to Germany this May for the same reasons because the time to get two VISAs(Schengen + Canada) approved is too much. I am an Indian and least likely to break the law or illegally immigrate..

Limits of a Philippine passport

Taylor may be Jamaican but many Filipinos would also find the tweet speaking for them.

The 2018 Henley Passport Index ranked the German passport as the most powerful, with visa-free access to 177 countries among the 199 countries in the index. The Philippine passport paled in comparison, with only 63 countries its holders have access to prior to approval by embassies.

Looking at the list, only Singapore, Japan, and South Korea are the countries in Asia that made it to the top ten ranks. The rest of the most powerful passports are European countries’, alongside those of the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Why Filipinos can only travel to 63 countries without a visa

There are many ways countries reach visa-free travel agreements among each other. For example, countries that belong to the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations abide by a common visa policy.

Countries with good bilateral relations also come up with travel agreements especially when concerns over illegal immigration and security are eased.

While it’s easier for foreigners with powerful visas to visit the country, Filipinos will continue having a hard time visiting theirs.

Having global access may seem a trivial matter to some, this is a big deal for people whose professions depend on traveling.